Grady Spann named next director of Arkansas State Parks (Updated)

Arkansas Executive Director of Parks and Tourism Kane Webb named Grady Spann the Director of State Parks in a meeting with staff and Parks, Travel and Tourism Commissioners Friday. The announcement had a festive feel, including cake and punch to mark the occasion.

“This is a dream come true for me,” said Spann. “Several years ago, when I was interviewing for another position, they asked me what my long-term goal was, and I told them I wanted to be the Director of Arkansas State Parks. I’m very excited.”

He said his top priority is to connect with the next generation and get young people in the parks, so they can experience the product Arkansas has to offer. Spann has been with State Parks for 23 years. He currently serves as the Region 5 Supervisor, which puts him over the five state parks with lodges and full-service restaurants. He replaces Greg Butts, who is retiring December 31 after 25 years as Director of State Parks and 42 years total with the parks system.

The Arkansas State Parks director is responsible for leading the operation of 52 state parks and central office divisions including administration, planning and development, marketing and revenue, program services and five regional offices. The division has a $126 million annual budget.

When making the announcement, Webb said the decision was difficult because of the solid bench Butts had built throughout the department, but clear. “He has the right experience, the right background, the respect of his coworkers, a vision for the future of the parks and the passion to make it happen,” said Webb. “When I was making the transition to my position, I did a small tour of the state parks. I knew Grady was a possibility for the position at that time. He just got glowing reports from everyone we talked to. The Governor has met with him previously and gave his resounding endorsement.”

Spann is the first supervisor of Region 5, a region of parks created in 2012. Up until then, all regions were geographically aligned. The creation of this region pulled together the five lodge parks: Petit Jean, Queen Wihelmina, Mount Magazine, Lake DeGray and Ozark Folk Center. Officials realized that the parks with lodges had unique challenges and wanted to create consistency across the system, from soap to restaurant food to mattresses.

“It’s allowed us to get cost savings from pooling all our spending, and also guarantees the continuity of quality that guests experience when they come to a park,” Spann said. “We hear all the time how surprised people are that a state park lodge could be so nice.”

Before his current role, Spann was previously the superintendent of the Ozark Folk Center State Park from 2005 to 2012, of Historic Washington State Park from 2002 to 2005, and of Parkin Archeological State Park from 1993 to 2002.

A 1995 graduate of the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy, Spann is a certified law enforcement officer/park ranger. He holds a bachelor of science degree in parks administration, with a minor in military science from Henderson State University, and served as a military officer for nine years previous to his tenure with Arkansas State Parks.

Little known fact about Spann: he grew up as a missionary kid in Brazil, and continues to speak fluent Portuguese. He was assigned to Brazil for part of his military career because of his familiarity with the region. He said he rarely swears, but when he does it’s in Portuguese while he’s watching a soccer match.

Butts said he thought Spann was an excellent choice. “He will do a fantastic job,” the outgoing director. “I’m leaving the department in good hands.”

Jim Shamburger, APTT commissioner, was on the interview committee. “This was a good move by Webb,” said Shamburger after the announcement. “Grady has always been one of our problem solvers. When we have an issue or problem, we assign him to it. It doesn’t take him very long to figure it out and solve it. That’s what we need.”

Richard Davies, recently retired Executive Director of Parks and Tourism, was on hand for the announcement. He said he thought Spann would be an excellent choice as well. “He does not shrink from challenges,” Davies said. “He’s been in the system long enough to know roughly how everything works. Part of the reason he’s successful is that he gets input from the players. He’s what we would call a ‘players coach.’ He listens to all the involved parties. Those can be anyone from a housekeeper or maintenance man to the Governor or Congressman.”

Spann begins his duties January 1, 2016. He said he plans to learn everything he possibly can from Greg Butts in the next 20 days.

Arkansas state parks and museums cover 54,353 acres of forest, wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation facilities and unique historic and cultural resources. The system includes 1,100 buildings (including 183 historic structures), six National Historic Landmarks, a National Natural Landmark and 16 sites on the National Register of Historic Places. The state parks have 1,771 camp sites, 1,050 picnic sites, 208 cabins, four lodges, eight restaurants, ten marinas, and 415 miles of trails. Eight million visitors annually come from all regions of the country. Park staffs provide over 42,000 education programs, activities and special events to more than 700,000 participants each year.

Established in 1927, Arkansas State Parks preserve special places for future generations, provide quality recreation and education opportunities, enhance the state’s economy through tourism, and provide leadership in resource conservation.